Vanuatu Red Cross recently joined organisations such as UN Women, Department of Womens Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Community services in honouring the UN’s global 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The campaign kicked off with a parade through the streets of Port Vila, followed by a range of activities organised by various organisations to promote their chosen ‘International Day’ of focus. This year Vanuatu Red Cross took the lead on White Ribbon Day/‘The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ activities. Their Australian Red Cross supported campaign focused primarily on the issue of sexual and gender-based violence during disaster.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s annual gala night took place on Saturday 31st October at Warwick Le Lagon Resort in Port Vila. Proceeds raised from the ‘Bollywood’ themed fundraiser will go towards Red Cross’s El Nino response, in particular towards the purchase of two portable desalination units, which will help affected communities across Vanuatu to access potable drinking water.
Vanuatu Red Cross Society's annual fundraising gala event will take place at Farea Pacifik, Warwick Le Lagon Resort, this Saturday 31st October. This year, the proceeds raised during this event, will go towards our “El Nino” response and we hope to raise enough money to buy 2 portable desalination units, which will aid those communities around Vanuatu who are currently struggling with lack of potable water.
Source: Dickinson Tevi, VRCS
Happy Global Handwashing Day! To mark the occasion our health team spent some time with a group of pikininis in Paama community, Seaside, earlier today teaching them how to wash their hands properly. Teaching children good handwashing skills can help keep them safe and healthy, and avoid missed school days. Let’s keep children healthy by encouraging them to always practice good handwashing habits! Not sure if you're washing your hands correctly? Go to http://1.usa.gov/1C92Q57
Vanuatu Red Cross Society with the support of Australian Red Cross hosted an award ceremony this evening to recognize individuals who made an outstanding contribution towards Vanuatu Red Cross Society’s Cyclone Pam emergency response. Those honoured included members of their board and staff as well as humanitarians from a range of organisations both nationally and internationally
To mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Vanuatu Red Cross Society facilitated a Disaster Risk Reduction training workshop in Epau which was aligned with this year’s theme: traditional, indigenous and local knowledge, which compliment modern science and add to individual and community resilience. Led by community elders and sponsored by NDMO, VMGD, SPREP and IFRC, the purpose of the training was to teach community members about traditional cyclone shelter construction methods.
An official event was held at the “Tut Blong Pig” lounge at Parliament House on October 7th to mark the launch of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Handbook for Parliamentarians here in Vanuatu. The launch of the handbook, created by Vanuatu Red Cross Society with support from Australian Red Cross, the Australian Government and The International Committee of the Red Cross, signals an important step to ensuring the effective application of the International Humanitarian Law.
Today marks 50 years since the implementation of The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s seven fundamental principles. To honour the occasion they are celebrating and reaffirming the relevance of its Fundamental Principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality – the core of its humanitarian commitment, values and mission.
September 12, 2015, was World First Aid Day, an annual campaign to promote the importance of first aid training in preventing injuries and saving lives. This year, Vanuatu Red Cross Society are working to promote the importance of first aid training in Vanuatu, especially during disasters, with a focus on one of Vanuatu’s most vulnerable groups, the elderly. In a campaign sponsored by Australian Red Cross and in line with this year’s theme, “First aid and ageing population”, Vanuatu Red Cross Society presented three basic first aid courses to 30 community members, predominantly aged over 50, in Mele, Wasisi and Melemaat this week. The aim of the trainings was to give attendees the confidence and ability to help themselves and others in times of need.
